Portable folding sleeper unit

ABSTRACT

A folding camper unit which has a two-section base portion that utilizes a transverse hinging means between the two sections that is substantially flush with the top surfaces of the connected sections such that sleeping equipment may lay directly over the hinging area. One section of the base is provided with an end wall member and opposing triangular-form sidewall members so as to adapt such section to serve as a top cover over the other section and the camper unit folded into a resulting wedge-shaped traveling arrangement having a low wind resistance when carried on or secured to a car, boat, or other type vehicle.

[I] 1, tates l l [72] Inventor Edward A. Du Plessis 307 Wapella, Mount Prospect, 111. 60056 21 Appl. No. 30,767 [22] Filed Apr. 22, 1970 [45] Patented Nov. 16, 1971 [54] PORTABLE FOLDING SLEEPER UNIT 7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.8. C1... [51] lnt.C1 [50] Field of Search 135/1 A [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,291,900 8/1942 Jimmes 135/1 A 3,093,150 6/1963 Schaftener. 135/1 A 3.102.546 9/1963 Guerrant.... 135/1 A 3,202,159 8/1965 Reed 135/1 A F ORElGN PATENTS 669.618 2/1961 Canada Primary Examiner- Reinaldo P. Machado Auarney- Philip T Liggett l35/lA AIBSTMAKZT: A folding camper unit which has a two-section base portion that utilizes a transverse hinging means between the two sections that is substantially flush with the top surfaces of the connected sections such that sleeping equipment may 'lay directly over the hinging area. One section of the base is POW'HILIE lFULDllNG SLEEP lUNlll This invention relates to a simplified and improved form of a portable and foldable sleeper unit. More particularly, the improved design provides a hinged two-piece base section together with transverse hinging and end and sidewalls on one of the base sections whereby such section will serve as a cover for resulting folded sleeper unit that will be weatherproof and of a low wind-resistant wedge-shape.

It is realized that various types of car top beds, tents, boxes, etc., have been made or designed to fit onto car top carriers that can, in turn, be adjustable mounted over the top of most any make of passenger automobile or station wagon. Also, various types of folding sleeping units have been made for car trailers. However, presently known designs and constructions have been in the nature of large boxes or trunks sized to suitable hold a full mattress or at least two sleeping bags and, as a result, one section is of the nature of a base portion and one section is of the nature of a lid or cover for purposes, of providing a weather tight construction. Also, it is to be noted that there is usually a wall around the lower base section as well as a wall between the base and top sections when the units is in the unfolded position. in connection with most units there is a foldable and collapsible tent portion provided for storage within the particular closed camper unit. In other designs, a tent portion has been provided as the only top covering to cover and protect the fixed base and bed section of the unit.

It may be also be noted that most of the presently known car top sleeper constructions are quite large, complex and heavy so that they are difiicult to lift up and mount as a complete unit to the top of a car. At the same time, these large complex units are quite expensive and not adapted to low-cost production techniques.

Because of the use of a minimum of parts and a simplified construction, it may be considered a principal object of the present invention to provide a sleeper unit which may be constructed from readily available sizes of plywood, or other rigid construction materials, and use readily available types of hinging, sidewall sheeting, tubing, tube fitting, tenting materials, etc. As a result, and where desired, it is quite commercially practicable to market a kit of auxiliary pieces that can be combined with or attached to standardly sized pieces of plywood to make a resulting foldable and portable sleeper unit.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a camper unit that uses a portion of the base to serve as a folding top to enclose a collapsible tent portion and foldable or rollable sleeping equipment.

In accordance with the principal object of the present improved unit to effect a simplified low wind resistance design, there are provided end and side pieces to merely one section of the two-part base such that the unit can be folded into a traveling" arrangement which provides a wedge-shape configuration that will have the small or Thin" edge toward the front of the carrying vehicle.

A further and particular object of the present camper unit design is the provision of the two-part base and continuous transverse hinging means therebetween in a manner that there is substantially no bump or raised section, whereby to permit a mattress or sleeping bags to lay directly over the hinge area.

Still other objects and advantages of the improved design will be set forth and described hereinafter.

in a broad aspect the present invention provides a folding camper unit adapted for attachment to a car top carrier, which comprises in combination an elongated, two-section base portion with a transverse hinging means between the two sections whereby one section may remain in fixed position and one section is movable and foldable over the other and such hinging means being substantially flush with the top surfaces of the two sections of the base portion, an end wall member and opposing triangular-forrn sidewall members on the one movable base section which will adapt such section to serve as a sloping top cover over the other section and said end wall and the sidewall members further providing a resulting enclosed, wedge-shaped, low wind-resistant folded unit, movable tent frame means connective to said base portion and sized to be stored under said movable section of the base portion when the base sections are in the folded position, a tent-type covering connective to said frame means and adapted to provide a tent over said base portion when the latter is unfolded into a flat walking and sleeping surface, and movable support means positionable under said movable section of said base portion for supporting the latter when it is in the unfolded position.

it is not intended to limit the tent portion and framing material therefor to any one particular design inasmuch as various forms and locations of support members may be used for holding a weather proof canvas, plastic, or other type covering material to a desired height above the base sections. Typically, lightweight aluminum tubing will be utilized to provide the poles or frames for supporting the superposed tent portion. Preferably, the supporting members will be of an inverted U-shape and hingedly or removably connected at their base sections whereby they may collapse and fold down within the confines of the base sections when the one foldable base portion is lifted and positioned over the other as a sloping top cover portion.

As heretofore noted, it is a particular feature of the present invention to utilize a special transverse hinge means between the two base sections such that there is substantially no raised portion between the sections when they are in an abutted, end-to-end relationship. ln other words, the hinging means is preferably of the low profile piano" type hinge. This feature permits mattress or sleeping bags to lay directly over the transverse hinge section and provide no discomfort to the sleeping occupants. Further, the use of nonprojecting-type hinge means permits two relatively small base sections to be unfolded and provide the entire floor of the tent or sleeper unit and preclude having a resulting hump or wall that can occur with conventional box and cover constructions.

With respect to size, the present camper unit may be readily constructed from a standard 4-foot X 8-foot section of exterior plywood, with such section being cut in half to form abutting sections which are hinged together. In other words, it is contemplated that the folding camper unit will be small and compact such that it may be readily lifted onto a boat, trailer, or the top of conventional car top carriers by two people without undue effort. The 4-foot X 8-foot plywood size in various thicknesses are readily available and also permit the camper unit to be marketed as a kit. ln other words, all of the various parts except for the plywood portions can be marketed as a kit with instructions for assembly. it is, of course, not intended to limit the present improved design and construction to any one size inasmuch, where desired, larger sized pieces of plywood, such as 5-foot 9-foot or 4-foot X l0foot may be utilized to construct the two base sections. The tent portion is. in turn, constructed to fit over the selected base sections. Where a still larger camper size is desired, standard sized pieces of plywood may be obtained to provide the two separate base sections, rather than effect the cutting of one plywood sections.

With respect to supporting the camper unit on car top carriers, the unit may be bolted, clamped or otherwise safety attached to the carriers by having one fixed sections, in effect, permanently attached to the carriers for the duration of the particular trip. This leaves the other section, with the end and side piece available to fold and unfold with respect to the fixed base section and at the same time provide a resulting floor portion for the sleeper unit. As will be more fully explained hereinafter, with the folding over base section and the hinge section being positioned forward with respect to the car or vehicle, there will be provided a resulting low wind-resistant, wedge-shaped and completely enclosed camper unit. Preferably the hinge section will be directly over one of the car top carriers while the other car top carrier is along the back edge portion of the fixed base section, whereby a car top carrier will be coextensive with transverse hinge portions between the two base sections of the unfolded base portion.

Where the camper unit is used on top of a long station wagon, suitable support means may be available on the station wagon itself, or from a third car top carrier. to effect the undemeath support for the unfolded base section. On the other hand, where the sleeper unit will be used over a conventional small car, or intermediate sized two-door or four-door auto unit, then movable support legs or other suitable and movable support means are necessarily brought into position to effect the support of the unfolding base section.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following description thereof will serve to illustrate the design and construction of the present improved portable sleeper unit, as well as point out the advantageous construction features which are embodied in the use and operation of the unit.

FIG. 1 of the drawing is a side elevational view showing the unfolded, ready-for-use, camper unit on the top of a typical sedan type automobile.

FIG. 2 shows, in an enlarged partial view, the hinged connection between two base sections of the unit.

FIG. 3 indicates in a side elevational view how the two base sections are folded to provide a resulting closed and weathertight wedge-shaped unit FIG. 4 of the drawing indicates, in a sectional elevational view, the folded arrangement between the two base sections and a diagrammatic indication of tent-supporting poles or rod members within the confines of the resulting wedge-shaped configuration ofthe folded units.

FIG. 5 of the drawing indicates in an end elevational view, as shown by a line 5-5 in FIG. I, a foldable and adjustable leg support means which may be attached to the foldable base section ofthe unit.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a sliding, cantilever type of support means which may be used to pull out and support the unfolded base section, as an alternate form of support means.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, there is indicated an open, ready-for-use, camper unit having base sections l and 2, which are hinged together by transverse hinge means 3, and also has a superposed tent portion 4. As best shown by FIG. 2 of the drawings, the base sections 1 and 2 are joined preferably with a continuous piano-type hinge means 3 such that there is little or no part of the hinge extending above the base sections when they are in the abutting, unfolded position. Also for purposes of strength and weathertight construction the hinge 3 is of the type having L-shaped legs or strap portions 3 permitting angle portions of the hinge to wrap under an end of each base section and be attached to the latter by suitable wood screw means 5. The hinge 3 is also of a type permitting the movable base section 2 to lift up and fold over a fixed section 1 to provide a substantially complete coverage of the latter, as indicated by the dash lines 2 in FIG. 2. Although not shown. a flexible, vinyl-type covering can be used to be loosely coextensive over the exterior of the hinge unit.

The base section I shall be bolted or otherwise fixed to car top carrier means 6 in a manner to safely hold the latter to the top of the vehicle for camping as well as traveling conditions. In FIGS. 2 and 3, flattop bolts 7 are shown extending through the base section 1 and through portions of the carrier means 6 such that there is a safe, fixed connection between camper unit and the car top carriers. However, where desired, other types of bolts or clamp means may be utilized to advantage to effect the attachment of the camper unit to the vehicle.

In accordance with the present invention, the movable or foldable base section 2 shall be provided with an end wall section 8 and tapering sidewall sections 9 such that when the base section 2 is folded over the fixed base section 1, as best shown in FIG. 3, there will be a resulting wedge-shaped closed camper unit which is substantially weathertight and will permit the entire enclosure of the tent portion 4 and any mattresses or bedding which may be left within the sleeper unit. For example, in FIG. 3 there is indicated diagrammatically the folding ofa mattress 10 within the enclosed camper unit. Also, as best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawing, there is indicated diagrammatically the positioning of U-shaped struts or tubing means such as ll, 12, and 13, which are in a folded position within the confines of the enclosed camper unit. The struts or framing means 11, 12 and 13 are also indicated in their extended positions within FIG. 1 of the drawing below a suitable raised tent or covering material 14. The tubing comprising the tent-supporting means may be hingedly connected to the base sections 1 and 2 by means of pins connecting through the ends of the respective pieces of tubing into clevis means such as 15, 16 and 17; however, tubing sockets or other conventional tube connector means may be utilized in an alternative construction. Still further, where desired, the various tubes or struts 11, 12 and 13 may be telescopic, i.e. comprise two-part leg sections which will permit adjustable lengthening to insure a tautly raised tent portion 14. A suitable zipper-closing, flap or door portion 18 may be in one or more sides of the tent portion 14 so as to provide access into the raised tent 4. as indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawing.

In the end view, FIG. 5, there are shown hingedly connected support post members 19 and an adjustable horizontal strut member 20 to provide vertical support means for the base sec tion 2 when the latter is in the unfolded, load-carrying position. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the vertical posts 19 are pivotally connected at clevis means 20 to the underside of the base section 2 and at opposing end portions there are suitable pad sections 21. The latter may be of various design but preferably each will have a soft, rubberlike sole plate adapted to reset on a rigid portion of a car fender, or the rigid juncture between the car hood and fender. At the same time, each pad section 21 is pivotally connected to the lower portion of a post member 19 such that the lower contact portion can conform to the slope of the car fender. It will also be noted in FIG. 5 of the drawing that the horizontal strut member 22 connecting between the opposing post or legs 19 is of a telescopic, twopart design so that there is removability of bolts or pins 23 and the space between the legs 19 in turn adjustable to a particular vehicle.

With reference to FIG. 3 of the drawing, there is shown above the base section 2 the folded arrangement for the leg support means, including the leg members 19 hingedly connecting to clevis means 20 and the pivotally connected pad sections 21. Although not indicated, the post members 19, or the connection of the lower pad sections 21, can have adjustment so as to provide a correct height above a car fender or hood in supporting the base section 2 in a desired horizontal position and in alignment with base section I. As an alternative, the pose members 19 may be lower end sections that are adapted to reset on or above portions of the side framing of the automobile or directly above hinge portions of the front doors of the auto. For example, in connection with placing a camper unit above a small "compact" car or a Volkswagen. it may be desirable to have the support members adapted to reset on the upper hinges of the car doors. In any case, the support members preferably interconnect by lateral strut means, such as 22, and provide a resulting U-shaped design that can fold down from the traveling position of FIG. 3 into the position of FIGS. 1 and 5 and will be tied together to preclude outward slippage or movement, even though they may be designed and adapted to obtain support from different portions of car framing.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 of the drawing. there is shown an alternative form of movable base support means by virtue of having the camper unit, or more particularly fixed base section I, raised by spacer means 24 above the car top carriers 6 such that a slidable frame means 25 may be pulled toward from below base section 1 and have a transverse bar 26 support the unfolded base section 2. As indicated diagrammatically, the support frame 25 may have opposing side members 27, a front transverse end bar 26 and a rear end bar 28 all joined into a rectangular sliding frame encompassing opposing spacer members 24 on the car top carriers 6. Thus, there will be maintained proper alignment for the frame which, at the same time, is capable of being slid back and forth longitudinally with respect to the spacer members 24 and the base section I whereby there is the resulting cantilever support arrangement of FIG. 6. As shown, FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view through the supporting arrangement of FIG. 6, indicating a side member 27 being in a side-by-side and abutting position to the spacer member 24!. It should also be noted with respect to FIG. 6 that the rearward portions of side members 27, as well as the rear transverse member 23, will bear against the under side of the bolted down, fixed base section 1 to provide resistance to a cantilever-type loading placed on the forward end of slidable support means 25 with the unfolded sleeping position.

When the base section 2 is folded over the base section l for the travel position of FIG. 3, then the movable support means 25 may be slid rearwardly with respect to the car top carriers and the base section 1 as indicated by dash line 25' in H6. 6 and the front transverse member 26 can abut against the front hinging end of the camper unit. Also, where desired, a suitable flexible snap-on-type section 29 may be provided in connection with transverse member 26 so that such flexible covering means 29 can lap over the transverse hinge connector means 3 which is at the from leading edge of the resulting wedgeshaped folding sleeper unit when the latter is in the traveling position.

The sliding support means 25 is of advantage, of compared with the folding down leg support means of FIG. 5, in that it is not dependent upon adjustments to meet various car dimensions and car sizes. However, still other support means may be devised in connection with the improved sleeper unit of the present invention and be within the scope of the invention. For example, as a still further alternative, the movable leg means may slip into socket means that are connected beneath the folding base section 2, or along side thereof, and such leg sections may be capable of ad justably reaching the ground and effect and desired supporting of the unfolded base section 2.

It should also be noted that the present invention may have variations with respect to the tent portion 4, door sections 18, etc. in other words, there may be a different shape or configuration to the superposed tent portion through the employment of a varying number of support means between the tent fabric 14 and the base sections 1 and 2. The use of the three inverted U-shaped and hingedly connected tent-supporting leg members ll, 12 and 13 are diagrammatic and merely show one embodiment for a suitable type of tent portion to the folding base, wedge-shaped sleeper unit.

For storing capacity, variations, may be made in the dimensioning and construction of the end wall 8 and side portions 9 for the folding base section 2. Also, such wall sections may be made of wood, metal, flat or molded plastic, fiber glass, etc., however, generally the wall portions 9 and 9 will be made of lightweight sheet material such as aluminum or an an equivalent material permitting good weather resistance and light weight characteristics. Where the side and end pieces are made of molded plastic or of aluminum or of other metal which may be readily bent and shaped, then the end wall 8 and side pieces 9 are preferably constructed to wrap over the edges of the base section 2, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 whereby there is a good weathertight connection onto such base sections. The present drawing also indicates the sidewalls 9 as being attached with screw means 30 to the base section 2; however, nonpulling nails or drivescrews may be used. In any case, the end member 8 and the sidewall members 9 shall be sized and constructed so as to encompass the periphery of the fixed base section 1 when section 2 is folded over the latter as a sloping covering. The result provides that the continuous transverse hinge member 3 provides a continuous enclosure for the front edge of the enclosed camper unit and the sloping or generally triangular-form sidewall members 9 effect the wcdgeshaped design for the camper in the traveling position.

As set forth briefly hereinbefore, it is to be noted that the present sleeper unit is particularly adapted for being constructed easily and simply from the use of suitable strong plywood sections for base members l and 2 together with hinging means, sidewall members 8 and 9, support means such as the folding leg means or the sliding cantilever means, and the superposed tent ost and tent-covering material. in other words, in view of the present system of construction, the various parts may be marketed in a kit-form along with instructions for attaching hinges, sidewall members and various post members to the base sections in order to complete the camper unit. Suitable bolts or clamping means may also be provided with the kit to effect an easy attachment to standard readily available, car top carrier means, or where desired, car top carrier may be supplied along with the camper kit. Present day car top carriers are generally of the type that are adapted to be supported from the gutter portion of the car roof and as a result are generally quite strong and adequate to easily carry the portable unit of the present invention together with the persons occupying the camper unit for sleeping purposes.

Although it has been taught that the base sections are preferably of plywood, it is to be noted that suitable strong plastic or fiber glass, or molded sections with stiffener libs could be substituted as equivalents. Also in connection with shaped or molded sections, particularly for the movable and folding base section, there can be a slightly rounded corner between the flat base part and the end wall portion and still be within the scope of the present improved design.

I claim as my invention:

1. A folding camper unit particularly adapted for movability, which comprises in combination, an elongated, two-section flat base portion with a transverse hinging means extending between the two flat sections whereby one section may remain in a fixed position and one section is movable and foldable over the other, such hinging means being attached to be substantially flush with the top surfaces of the two flat sections of the base portion, a rectangular end wall member opposite said hinging means and opposing generally triangular-form sidewall members on the one movable base section which will adapt such section to serve as a sloping and enclosing top cover over to other section, and said end wall and the sidewall members further providing a resulting enclosed, wedgeshaped low wind resistant folded unit, movable tent frame means connective to said base portion and sized to be stored under said movable section of the base portion when the base sections are in the folded position, a tent-type covering connective to said frame means and adapted to provide a tent over said base portion when the latter is unfolded approximately to provide a flat surface unit, and movable support means positionable under said movable sections of said base portion for supporting the latter when it is in the unfolded position.

2. The folding camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said transverse hinging means comprises a continuous piano-type hinge having its leg portions connecting to and covering at least the respective adjacent end faces of each flat base section, whereby there is a continuous covering of the leading edges of such base sections when they are in the folded traveling position.

3. The camper unit of claim 2 still further characterized in that said continuous piano-typehinge has L-shaped leg portions adapted to wrap under the edge portions of said base sections and encompass the ends thereof.

4. The camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said end wall section and the triangular-form sidewall members are of a lightweight, weatherproof material and are sized to provide a resulting small compact wedge-shaped closed camper unit permitting the storage of bedding and said tenttype covering within the confines of the closed unit.

5. The camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said movable support means comprises hinged, spaced-apart posts connecting to the foldable base section and said posts are laterally connected whereby they may provide support means below said foldable base section when it is in the unfolded position.

it. The camper unit of claim 5 still further characterized in that said hinged and spaced-apart post means have movably adjustable lower pad plates adapted to reset on a position of the vehicle framing.

7. The camper unit of claim )1 further characterized in that said movable support means comprises a slidable suppofl frame of a cnniiiwcr type that is extendable from bslow the nonfolding base :scciicm of the camps: unit and from above the. new lop can-rim means for thc camper unit. 

1. A folding camper unit particularly adapted for movability, which comprises in combination, an elongated, two-section flat base portion with a transverse hinging means extending between the two flat sections whereby one section may remain in a fixed position and one section is movable and foldable over the other, such hinging means being attached to be substantially flush with the top surfaces of the two flat sections of the base portion, a rectangular end wall member opposite said hinging means and opposing generally triangular-form sidewall members on the one movable base section which will adapt such section to serve as a sloping and enclosing top cover over the other section, and said end wall and the sidewall members further providing a resulting enclosed, wedge-shaped low wind-resistant folded unit, movable tent frame means connective to said base portion and sized to be stored under said movable section of the base portion when the base sections are in the folded position, a tent-type covering connective to said frame means and adapted to provide a tent over said base portion when the latter is unfolded approximately 180* to provide a flat surface unit, and movable support means positionable under said movable sections of said base portion for supporting the latter when it is in the unfolded position.
 2. The folding camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said transverse hinging means comprises a continuous piano-type hinge having its leg portions connecting to and covering at least the respective adjacent end faces of each flat base section, whereby there is a continuous covering of the leading edges of such base sections when they are in the folded traveling position.
 3. The camper unit of claim 2 still further characterized in that said continuous piano-type hinge has L-shaped leg portions adapted to wrap under the edge portions of said base sections and encompass the ends thereof.
 4. The camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said end wall section and the triangular-form sidewall members are of a lightweight, weatherproof material and are sized to provide a resulting small compact wedge-shaped closed camper unit permitting the storage of bedding and said tent-type covering within the confines of the closed unit.
 5. The camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said movable support means comprises hinged, spaced-apart posts connecting to the foldable base section and said posts are laterally connected whereby they may provide support means below said foldable base section when it is in the unfolded position.
 6. The camper unit of claim 5 still further characterized in that said hinged and spaced-apart post means have movably adjustable lower pad plates adapted to reset on a portion of the vehicle framing.
 7. The camper unit of claim 1 further characterized in that said movable support means comprises a slidable support frame of a cantilever type that is extendable from below the nonfolding base section of the camper unit and from above the car top carrier means for the camper unit. 